There's no question: Higher education has a tough job ahead. Sure, GenAI may not wholly upend higher education as we know it. But it will challenge it, and push colleges, on some level, to rethink what they value and how they can best serve their students. Waiting for this moment to pass is not an option.
Swaak, T. (2024, March). AI Will Shake Up Higher Ed. Are Colleges Ready? Chronicle of Higher Education, 70(13), 1
Generative AI offers various advantages and disadvantages in the educational field, which are essential to consider for effective implementation. Benefits include personalized learning experiences, the ability to provide instant feedback, and support for faculty in administrative tasks. However, limitations may include potential biases in AI systems, a reliance on technology that could affect critical thinking skills, and concerns about data privacy, equitable access, intellectual property, and copyright. Understanding and addressing generative AI's benefits and limitations can help educators make informed decisions about using it in the classroom.
Regardless of these challenges, teaching students how to use AI effectively, responsibly, and creatively will have a critical impact on their post-college career success. Consider the following insights and predictions:
Computers and Education: Artificial Intelligence (Elsevier)
International Journal of Artificial Intelligence in Education (Springer Nature)
Auburn University has created an "Artificial Intelligence Initiative' that is designed to "establish a comprehensive university-wide computational infrastructure dedicated to cutting-edge AI research and education.' Their mission includes "bolstering the faculty's AI research capabilities, fostering cross-disciplinary collaborations, and spearheading innovative educational approaches in the realm of Artificial Intelligence."
Swaak, T. (2024, March). AI Will Shake Up Higher Ed. Are Colleges Ready? Chronicle of Higher Education, 70(13), 1.
Kingsley Ofosu-Ampong. (2024). Beyond the Hype: Exploring Faculty Perceptions and Acceptability of AI in Teaching Practices. Discover Education, 3. https://doi-org.lib-proxy.jsu.edu/10.1007/s44217-024-00128-4
Damiano, A. D., Lauría, E. J. M., Sarmiento, C., & Zhao, N. (2024). Early Perceptions of Teaching and Learning Using Generative AI in Higher Education. Journal of Educational Technology Systems, 52(3), 346–375. https://doi-org.lib-proxy.jsu.edu/10.1177/00472395241233290
Hostetter, A. B., Call, N., Frazier, G., James, T., Linnertz, C., Nestle, E., & Tucci, M. (2024). Student and Faculty Perceptions of Generative Artificial Intelligence in Student Writing. Teaching of Psychology, 1. https://doi-org.lib-proxy.jsu.edu/10.1177/00986283241279401
Jacques, P. H., Moss, H. K., & Garger, J. (2024). A Synthesis of AI in Higher Education: Shaping the Future. Journal of Behavioral & Applied Management, 24(2), 103–111. https://doi-org.lib-proxy.jsu.edu/10.21818/001c.122146
David R. Firth, Mason Derendinger, & Jason Triche. (2024). Cheating Better with ChatGPT: A Framework for Teaching Students When to Use ChatGPT and Other Generative AI Bots. Information Systems Education Journal, 22(3), 47–60.|
I highly recommend this article! It provides excellent guidance on teaching students how to use AI to enhance their understanding of a subject. The authors introduce a matrix that helps students identify when it is appropriate to use AI in their coursework and when it is not.